Look at what happens in Psalm 22 when David views his trials through the lens of who His God is. God gives him a gospel-centered praise to share with others in an evangelistic way.
Vs 3 is powerful! "Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel." Holy is the idea of set apart, separated by perfection. If the verse ended with the word "holy" this would be a very depressing verse; BUT in His separateness from all that is sinful, God has chosen to be near me in my praises of Him. In fact, God in His sovereignty, chooses to put Himself in His rightful position (the enthroned King of king) when I praise Him. He uses me and draws near me-a broken, sinful vessel-to accomplish His plans and will through my praises.
But what happens when that praise is hard to give, when that praise is truly a "sacrifice of praise" in that it is agonizing to say thank you for the broken family, the debt, the loss of a child, the broken friendship, a changed marital status, the loss of a job, the health diagnosis? Verses 25-26 are powerful!!!
"From you comes my praise in the great congregation."-He gives me the gift of praise
to turn around and give back to Him. So simple, yet not so easy right?
"The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord!"
Again, He provides the praise when we seek His face and claim His character in our
praise. All I do is claim His character and thank Him for it.
Look at where this Psalm ends! Vs 31-When I praise my God He is put in His rightful position as King. He is lifted up. When those praises seem hard to find, He gives me the praise as I claim His character. Then He turns my praises around as an evangelistic tool to draw all men to Himself-even the unborn. "They shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it." Generations yet unborn will hear of our praises which will enable them to see God in His rightful place-enthroned as King of kings and will know that He has done "it."
And the "it" is undefined in this verse-which is so encouraging. What is "it" that you need to see God do? Claim His character today and watch Him perform "it" while you simply share your praise of Him to those around you!
Can we each live with a gospel-centered lifestyle today and draw all men we meet to Christ? YES!!! Simply through our praises of our God.
Isaiah says "Lord, send me." You have been sent to your sphere of the world today, now share Christ with that corner of the world through your praise. See God work in the lives of those around you, in your life, and in unborn generations to come. What an amazing God we serve!